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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Timothy Perry on November 08, 2011, 06:34:21 PM

Title: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Timothy Perry on November 08, 2011, 06:34:21 PM
Hay awhile back I posted about getting a system for a band I was recording, and they got it, love it, etc. Now I am thinking they are over amp-ed or under speaker-ed. They have 2 BAG END 18" subs, and 2 12" two-way BAG END tops. Power for the subs as run by the prior bands owning and such, was as follows: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12, with the big side of that amp powering the subs, the other side un-used. Crown Power Base 3, powering the tops, and a BGW something powering the monitors.

On to the questions, I know the BAG END subs are rated at 400 watts program and 400 watts peak, because of the processor. Now that Macro-Tech is complete overkill, is it not? 1400 something watts into subs that want to see 400 each is crazy, yes or no? If yes I have a feeling that I think they should sell the Macro-Tech that weighs in on the heavy side, for something like the Crown XLS 2500 or the QSC GX5. Then have enough dough left over to get better EQ's, or something else??? Current EQ's are older Peavey, was thinking about some DBX 231's, or something else you guys would recommend?

EDIT: oh yah, what in your opinion is the macro tech worth? Worth selling?

Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 08, 2011, 06:51:58 PM
I ran Bag End subs for many years and actually still have a pair although the the drivers have been replaced with JBL 2242H drivers rated at 800 watts RMS forever.

There was more than one reason I replaced those drivers, however, burning them up wasn't one of those reasons. The drivers in the Bag End subs are re-branded Eminence and they are rated at 300 watts RMS.

A QSC 2450 run in stereo mode is MORE than adequate for those subs, and anything more is damage looking for a place to happen.

You could always recone the cabinets with the JBL 2242H like I did and be very, very happy. Same cabinet size as the 718, same type of response but to a slightly lower frequency. Just be prepared to spend $700 per driver.

Your choice, so you can either burn em' up, blow em' up, use the correct amp, or change the driver.
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Timothy Perry on November 08, 2011, 07:07:34 PM
....A QSC 2450 run in stereo mode is MORE than adequate for those subs, and anything more is damage looking for a place to happen.

......

Your choice, so you can either burn em' up, blow em' up, use the correct amp, or change the driver.

I get ya, that is why I am here. I remember in my other thread about this system that you did post about redoing the subs with a JBL driver. I think $1400 for drivers would be nice, but they only paid $1,800 for whole system, it is out of the question for the time being.

As far as the 2450 VS. the GX5 or the Crown XLS 2500, would you say the 2450 is leaps and bounds better, and in what ways? Reliability? Stable Power? ETC.
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 08, 2011, 07:11:08 PM
The 2450 is from the RMX line and they are very dependable. Additionally you won't have to worry too much about clean or adequate power. You can run a pair from a single 20 amp circuit and low voltage doesn't bother them.

Here's a link to the conversion if you care to see how it was done.

http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/212783/0/#msg_212783 (http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/212783/0/#msg_212783)
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Timothy Perry on November 08, 2011, 07:15:59 PM
Their system is as follows, if you have ideas of upgrades/downgrade for anything else, besides the Macro-Tech, let me know your guys ideas on it:


FOH rack:

Furman something for power
TC Electronic M-One
DBX 266XL "1"
DBX 266XL "2"
Peavey 31 band EQ "1" <---single channels
Peavey 31 band EQ "2"

One 10 space Amp rack with:

Bag End intergrator
Crown power base 3
Crown MacroTech 36x12
BGW performance series 3

Mixer included was a Mackie SR24-4 in clean shape.

100 foot snake

And of course the speakers:

2- peavey 12inch 2 way
2- BAG END TA-12 tops
2- BAG END SA18ec subs
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: John Halliburton on November 09, 2011, 08:57:17 AM
Their system is as follows, if you have ideas of upgrades/downgrade for anything else, besides the Macro-Tech, let me know your guys ideas on it:


FOH rack:

Furman something for power
TC Electronic M-One
DBX 266XL "1"
DBX 266XL "2"
Peavey 31 band EQ "1" <---single channels
Peavey 31 band EQ "2"

One 10 space Amp rack with:

Bag End intergrator
Crown power base 3
Crown MacroTech 36x12
BGW performance series 3

Mixer included was a Mackie SR24-4 in clean shape.

100 foot snake

And of course the speakers:

2- peavey 12inch 2 way
2- BAG END TA-12 tops
2- BAG END SA18ec subs

Bob's recommendations are spot on.  I would add an alternative, since it looks like this system is a portable rig, and that you might consider lightweight versions of the amplifiers such as the QSC PLX line.  A used 3102 or 2502 for the subs, a 2502 for the tops-even an 1804 for the tops if weight is really an issue.

There are also other alternatives to $700.00 JBL drivers as possible replacements for those subs.  There's a nice B&C driver on sale at Parts Express for around $300.00 each, or the Eminence Definimax 18" for around the same price that should increase sub performance.

Search here or ebay to see what your current amplifiers are going for on the used market.  I'd really think upgrading the amps would be a nice thing to do, as you should be able to shave 60lbs. off the total amp weight, gain more efficient amps(less AC needed), and/or increase your power capacity-especially if you plan to upgrade those 18" drivers or the other cabinets.

Best regards,

John

PS.  I'm assuming you have enough equalizers in the system, if not, get some more.
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Mark Chrysostom on November 09, 2011, 12:03:25 PM
I have nothing but love for QSC GX-series amps. The power/weight/cost ratios are unbeatable.

In 2 years of very regular use I have had one hiccup. The amp in question was being run at full tilt, on the end of 300 feet of extension cord (don't ask) and sitting in direct sun on a 100-degree day. It went into thermal for about 10 seconds, I rolled the faders back 5dB, and it picked right back up and ran through the end of the gig.
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Stu McDoniel on November 09, 2011, 05:09:23 PM
Hay awhile back I posted about getting a system for a band I was recording, and they got it, love it, etc. Now I am thinking they are over amp-ed or under speaker-ed. They have 2 BAG END 18" subs, and 2 12" two-way BAG END tops. Power for the subs as run by the prior bands owning and such, was as follows: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12, with the big side of that amp powering the subs, the other side un-used. Crown Power Base 3, powering the tops, and a BGW something powering the monitors.

On to the questions, I know the BAG END subs are rated at 400 watts program and 400 watts peak, because of the processor. Now that Macro-Tech is complete overkill, is it not? 1400 something watts into subs that want to see 400 each is crazy, yes or no? If yes I have a feeling that I think they should sell the Macro-Tech that weighs in on the heavy side, for something like the Crown XLS 2500 or the QSC GX5. Then have enough dough left over to get better EQ's, or something else??? Current EQ's are older Peavey, was thinking about some DBX 231's, or something else you guys would recommend?

EDIT: oh yah, what in your opinion is the macro tech worth? Worth selling?
All good recommendations however, your weak link seems to be your tops for sure!
I would dump the Peaveys and the Bag End tops and get single set of quality loudspeakers for
your tops.  I dont know what your budget is but frankly the most bang for your buck would
be to get high quality top end.   You could run the entire FOH on that Crown amp mono.
You could go the used route and pick up a decent set of EAW two or three way tops.
The sky is the limit!
       
Title: Re: Crown-Macro Tech 36x12 price??? And replacement for it???
Post by: Jack keaton on November 09, 2011, 06:38:19 PM
All good recommendations however, your weak link seems to be your tops for sure!
I would dump the Peaveys and the Bag End tops and get single set of quality loudspeakers for
your tops.  I dont know what your budget is but frankly the most bang for your buck would
be to get high quality top end.   You could run the entire FOH on that Crown amp mono.
You could go the used route and pick up a decent set of EAW two or three way tops.
The sky is the limit!
     
or
EV QRX
JBL srx
peavey qw - if you want to go cheap
+ a million others